This is the joint website of Women Against Rape and Black Women's Rape Action Project. Both organisations are based on self-help and provide support, legal information and advocacy. We campaign for justice and protection for all women and girls, including asylum seekers, who have suffered sexual, domestic and/or racist violence.

WAR was founded in 1976. It has won changes in the law, such as making rape in marriage a crime, set legal precedents and achieved compensation for many women. BWRAP was founded in 1991. It focuses on getting justice for women of colour, bringing out the particular discrimination they face. It has prevented the deportation of many rape survivors. Both organisations are multiracial.

Since in cases of rape and sexual assault

o Despite the introduction of legal changes, specialist units and further training, many of those paid to enforce the law on rape are not doing this job

o The police often do not collect all the evidence or lose or misinterpret it

o The Crown Prosecution Service routinely turn down strong cases and often prosecute rape incompetently and negligently

o Judges exercise their own sexism, racism and other prejudice, allowing victims to be put on trial in court (including through the illegal use of their sexual history), misdirecting juries and reinforcing prejudices they may bring

o Incompetent professionals, who would be disciplined or even sacked in other professions, are not dismissed and rarely disciplined in any way.

Many disabled victims of crime are being failed by the system, the Guardian has learned, following two cases in which the Crown Prosecution Service and the police were forced to apologise for not taking offences seriously enough.

Last month Gareth Williamson, 19, became the latest victim of crime to receive damages after the police accepted they were guilty of "serious failures" in their investigation of a repeat robbery of the teenager.

For years, if you delayed reporting – even for a day, it was grounds for suspicion that you may have lied that you were raped. There are many reasons why women do not feel able to go straight to the authorities, such as shock, the effects of alcohol or drugs, fear of retribution, or just confusion about what happened and why. A delay in reporting is no longer to be used against rape survivors:

The Coroners and Justice Bill repeals paragraph 120(7)(d) Criminal Justice Act 2003 in relation to sexual offences and domestic violence offences which stated that the complaint must be made 'as soon as could reasonably be expected after the alleged conduct'.

This means that a victim of sexual offences or domestic violence cannot be required to have reported the alleged conduct as soon as reasonably be expected.

Lotto rapist ruling clears way for claims

A woman subjected to a brutal attack by the so-called Lotto rapist, Iorworth Hoare, won a landmark victory in Britain's highest court yesterday, opening the way for thousands of other victims of sexual assault to claim compensation.

The retired teacher, identified only as Mrs A, and five victims of child sex abuse who also took their cases to the House of Lords, had been barred from suing by a six-year time limit for claims based on deliberate assaults.

With Silvers Solicitors @ Crossroads Women's Centre in Kentish Town
12 – 1.30pm
Last Monday of every month
(Pop in or call for appointment.)

Since 1976 WAR has been providing support & legal advocacy to women and girls escaping violence, and campaigning for protection from the criminal justice system. We have:
* Won legal recognition that rape in marriage is a crime.
* Helped bring the first successful private prosecution for rape.
* Won compensation for women discriminated against because they were sex workers, had a health condition or a criminal record, were drunk or on drugs…
* Won recognition that women claiming asylum may have been too traumatised to report rape, and are entitled to present "fresh evidence".
* Helped a rape survivor win £38,000 compensation for illegal detention.

Domestic violence - more common than street violence Children suffer harm and untold distress Most violence is not reported, and not acted upon when reported No money, nowhere to go Child Support Act has increased violence against women and children REFERENCES Domestic violence - more common than street violence

The Rapist Who Pays the Rent: Women's case for changing the Law on Rape
2nd edn 1984, R. Hall, S. James, J. Kertesz
Led to the historic decision that recognized rape in marriage as a crime in England and Wales.